Key holder



April 13, 1937.

H. A. JOHNSTON KEY HOLDER Filed Marfi 12, 1955- 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. HALJOHNJTO/V.

April 1937. H. A. JOHNSTON 2,076,895

KEY HOLDER Filed March 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q; 0 Q INVENTOK.

Patented Apr. 13, 1931 amazes PATENT OFFICE KEY HOLDER Herbert A. Johnston, Anaheim, Calif. Application Marclrlz, 1935, Serial No. 10,643

4 Claims.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder having a plurality of keys mounted therein and wherein means is accessible from the exterior of the holder to allow any one of the keys to be withdrawn for use.

Other objects and the advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a key holder embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a face view of the key holder on a re- I duced scale showing the method of operating it.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the modification with the parts open.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the parts collapsed.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the case open.

Fig. 6 is a section of line 6-6 Fig.3.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the key plate.

Fig. 8 is a central vertical sectional view showing a modification of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the modification.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail in elevation with parts broken away showing latch details.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line lI--Il Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 10.

Fig. 12A is a section taken on line l2A-l2A of Fig. 12.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a still further modification showing the case open, and,

Fig. 14 is a further modification in plan showing the case open.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, I have shown my invention as provided in a key holder which is indicated generally-at l0.

As shown the key holder l0 includes a case H with suitable fasteners l2 thereon. Secured upon the case I show a plate l3. The case i I and plate I 3 are provided with aligned slots M. In each of these slots is a pin I 5 which has a head l6 at one end and intermediate the length thereof has a second head ll with the heads so disposed that the pins I5 may be (See Fig. 6.)

Beyond the head l1, each pin I5 is provided with an integral loop I8 in which the neck IQ of a key plate 20 is inserted. The neck l9 may have a suitable fastening member I9 on the end thereof which may comprise a sphere having a hole therein in which the neck I9 is engaged. Oppomoved along the slots ll.

site the neck I 9 the key plate 20 has a key engaging member 2| thereon which is split at 22 to receive akey 23. 7

Secured at one end to the back of the cover It opposite the plate I3, I show a plurality of partition members 24 which may be in the nature of flexible flap members with the opposite ends of these partitions 2H secured at 25 to a flexible wall member 26 which is arranged within the case as shown in Fig. 3. A pocket member 2? may be arranged at each end of the case It for the reception of data such as automobile drivers license etc.

In use the key holder is made as described and the keys are placed on the members 2! and when the user wishes to make any one of the keys available he moves the pin which corresponds to this key to the position shown in Fig. l and after use the key is returned to the case by moving the key plate 20 in a reverse direction as shown in Fig. 2. I

In Figs. 8 to 12A inclusive, I show a modification of my invention, wherein the case is indicated generally at 30. As shown, this case is similar in many respects to the ,case previously described and similar parts are designated by similarly primed reference'characters;

In the case 30 the plate 3| is somewhat heavier than the plate I3 previously described, and is secured to the case in a suitable manner. This plate 3| and the adjacent portion of the case 30 are provided with aligned longitudinally extending slots 32 in which pins l5 are'slidably mounted. These pins l5 are arranged to support key plate 20' and keys 23'.

The front plate 3| adjacent the top thereof includes a plurality of fingers 33 which are bent inward and extend through apertures 34 in the adjacent wall of the case 30. The fingers 33 are arranged one above each of the slots 32. Each of the fingers 33 has one end of a coiled spring 35 suitably anchored thereto and the opposite end of the spring is suitably connected to the head ll of the pin l5. Thus it will be seen that the springs 35 resiliently retain the pins l5, key holders 20' and the keys 23' in a retracted position.

Adjacentits lower end the plate 3| is recessed as M2536 and therebelow is recessed at and adia cent the lower end of eachslot 32 and to'one'side.

thereof is-recessed as at-ll. (See Figs. 10,12 and 6 12A.) a Positioned ing-the recess 31 I provide a slide member- IS which'incIudesa plurality of upwardly extendingflnger members 46 which-are positioned one in each of the recesses 38. Each of the finger members incIu'des-alatch surface. and. a camsurface 42.

The slide plate as has an elongatedaperture n therein into-which an out strucklug 4.4 on the cam surfaces of the finger members 40 extend into.

the path of travelof the pins I5 as shown in Fig. 10.

Positioned in the recess 36 of the front plate 3| I provide a cover plate 46 which may be secured to the plate 3| in any desired manner. Intermediate the width thereof, the cover plate 46 has a slot 41 therein, in which a pin 48 is positioned. The pin 48 is riveted to the slide plate 39 as indicated at 49 and adjacent the outer face of the cover includes an enlarged head 50. The

80 cover plate 46 has elongated slots 5| therein to match the slots 32 of the plate 3|.

In operation the operator extracts a key 23' from the case by moving the desired pin l5 downward against the action of the spring 35. As the pin l5 approaches the lower end of the slot 32 the pin engages the cam surface 42 of the associated finger 40 and upon continued movement moves the finger and the associated slide plate 39 against the action of the spring 45. After the m pin has moved to a position below the latch surface 4| of the finger the spring 45 moves the slide plate 39 in the opposite direction to a position wherein the latch surface 4| is in the path of movement of the pin l5 thereby preventing the 45 spring 35 from moving the pin upward. (See Fig. 10.)

When it is desired to move an extending key 23' to a retracted position the operator moves the slide plate 39 against the action of the spring 45 50 by moving the head member 50. As the slide plate 39 is thus moved the latch surface 4| of the finger members 40 move out of the path of travel of the pins l5 as shown in Fig. 12., whereupon any downwardly positioned pin |5' will be moved up- 55 ward by its associated spring 35.

In Fig. 13 I have indicated another modified form of my invention generally at 55. As shown the device 55 is similar in all respects to the device ||l except that the back member 26 and the 0 partitions 24 are omitted and the like parts thereof are indicated by similar "a primed numbers. Instead of the back member 26 and the partitions 24 the key case II is provided with a pocket member 56 adjacent the inner surface of 65 the front face thereof. The pocket member 56 extends from adjacent the top of the case downward to a distance below the tops of the keys when they are in a retracted position. The pocket member 56 is stitched to the case Il along its 7 upper and side edges as indicated at 51.

The pocket 56 prevents the keys 23' from falllng back upon the plates 20'- and becoming entangled therewith when the key case is turned upside down or sldewise.

m m. .14 1 have indicated a further form of'myinvention-generally at 46. As

the device "like the device II is similar to the device Ill except that thev back member "and the partitions 24 areomlttedand the like parts thereof are'indicated by similarly "17'" primed reference numerals. "Instead of the pocket member .66 shown in the device 66 the device 66 is provided with a flap member 6| which is secured to the key case il 'adiacent the upper end thereof and. extends downward to adjacent the lower "end'of the keys 23 when they are. ina retracted position. The flap 6| may. be swung upward to expose thekeys as indicated by the broken lines. a I

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel key holder which-will enable the user to procure a desired key at any time without the trouble of selecting,

the key from a group of keys so that the difficulty which frequently occurs, especially in the dark in selecting the proper key is overcome.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a key holder, a plate having a plurality of slots therein, a plurality of key holding mem-- bers, one associated with each of said slots and including a portion projecting through its associated slot, means to normally urge the key holding members into a retracted position within the holder, means enabling the key holding members to be moved to an extended position whereby keys thereon may be accessible, means to lock the key members in the extended position and means to release the locking means.

2. In a key holder, a cover, a carrier member, means to mount said carrier member for movement in said cover, means on said carrier member adapted to have a key supported thereon, means to resiliently retain said carrier member in a retracted position, locking means to retain said carrier in an extended position, and means to release said locking means whereby said resilient retaining means returns said carrier to a retracted position.

3. In a key holder, a cover having an longitudinally extending slot therein, a key holding member in said cover, said key holding member including a guide portion extending through the slot in the cover to mount said key holding member for sliding movement in said cover, means on said key holding member adapted to engage a key, means constantly urging said key holding member to a retracted position, and releasable means to hold said key holding member in an extended position.

4. In a key holder, a case, a plurality of partitions in said case spaced apart to provide a series of pockets, a plate on said case, said case and said plate having a plurality of aligned slots, each of said slots being disposed opposite an associated pocket, a post in each of said slots, a head on the posts on the exterior of said case and plate, said head providing an operating member, a second head on said post intermediate its length, said second head engaging the inner face of the case, and a key engaging member on each of said posts beyond said second head, said posts being slidable in said slots whereby the keys may be selectively extended from said case. means to constantly urge each of said posts to a retracted position and releasable means to hold each of said posts and in an extended position.

HERBERT A. JOHNSTON. 

